The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 61

I see vast prospects opened!--yet, in truth, Ere you, sire, broached these themes, their outlines loomed Not seldom in my own imaginings; But with less clear a vision than endows So great a captain, statesman, philosoph, As centre in yourself; whom had I known Sooner by some few years, months, even weeks, I had been spared full many a fault of rule.

--Now as to Austria. Should we call her in?

NAPOLEON

Two in a bed I have slept, but never three.

ALEXANDER

Ha-ha! Delightful. And, then nextly, Spain?

NAPOLEON

I lighted on some letters at Berlin, Wherein King Carlos offered to attack me.

A Bourbon, minded thus, so near as Spain, Is dangerous stuff. He must be seen to soon!...

A draft, then, of our treaty being penned, We will peruse it later. If King George Will not, upon the terms there offered him, Conclude a ready peace, he can be forced.

Trumpet yourself as France's firm ally, And Austria will fain to do the same: England, left nude to such joint hara.s.sment, Must shiver--fall.

ALEXANDER [with naive enthusiasm]

It is a great alliance!

NAPOLEON

Would it were one in blood as well as brain-- Of family hopes, and sweet domestic bliss!

ALEXANDER

Ah--is it to my sister you refer?

NAPOLEON

The launching of a lineal progeny Has been much pressed upon me, much, of late, For reasons which I will not dwell on now.

Staid counsellors, my brother Joseph, too, Urge that I loose the Empress by divorce, And re-wive promptly for the country's good.

Princesses even have been named for me!-- However this, to-day, is premature, And 'twixt ourselves alone....

The Queen of Prussia must ere long be here: Berthier escorts her. And the King, too, comes.

She's one whom you admire?

ALEXANDER [reddening ingenuously]

Yes.... Formerly I had--did feel that some faint fascination Vaguely adorned her form. And, to be plain, Certain reports have been calumnious, And wronged an honest woman.

NAPOLEON

As I knew!

But she is wearing thready: why, her years Must be full one-and-thirty, if she's one.

ALEXANDER [quickly]

No, sire. She's twenty-nine. If traits teach more It means that cruel memory gnaws at her As fair inciter to that fatal war Which broke her to the dust!... I do confess [Since now we speak on't] that this sacrifice Prussia is doomed to, still disquiets me.

Unhappy King! When I recall the oaths Sworn him upon great Frederick's sepulchre, And--and my promises to his sad Queen, It p.r.i.c.ks me that his realm and revenues Should be stript down to the mere half they were!

NAPOLEON [cooly]

Believe me, 'tis but my regard for you Which lets me leave him that! Far easier 'twere To leave him none at all.

[He rises and goes to the window.]

But here they are.

No; it's the Queen alone, with Berthier As I directed. Then the King will follow.

ALEXANDER

Let me, sire, urge your courtesy to bestow Some gentle words on her?

NAPOLEON

Ay, ay; I will.

[Enter QUEEN LOUISA OF PRUSSIA on the arm of BERTHIER. She appears in majestic garments and with a smile on her lips, so that her still great beauty is impressive. But her eyes bear traces of tears. She accepts NAPOLEON'S attentions with the stormily sad air of a wounded beauty. Whilst she is being received the KING arrives. He is a plain, shy, honest-faced, awkward man, with a wrecked and solitary look. His manner to NAPOLEON is, nevertheless, dignified, and even stiff.

The company move into the inner half of the room, where the tables are, and the folding-doors being shut, they seat themselves at dinner, the QUEEN taking a place between NAPOLEON and ALEXANDER.]

NAPOLEON

Madame, I love magnificent attire; But in the present instance can but note That each bright knot and jewel less adorns The brighter wearer than the wearer it!

QUEEN [with a sigh]

You praise one, sire, whom now the wanton world Has learnt to cease from praising! But such words From such a quarter are of worth no less.

NAPOLEON